James Cameron is frantically trying to get the ageing cast of Avatar to record script read throughs for the fourth film in case anyone dies before production begins, according to insiders, who claim he is trying to get ‘everything done as fast as possible.’
With the third movie currently underway, the award-winning Canadian director, 69, could take desperate measures to ensure the fourth and fifth instalments – which are scheduled for 2029 and 2031, respectively – will be completed with or without members of the cast.
An insider close to the production exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the star’s faces are already loaded up on computers so that AI can be implemented should tragedy strike the cast, which includes Sigourney Weaver, 74, Stephen Lang, 71, and Michelle Yeoh, 61.
‘With a predominantly older cast, there have been discussions to read the scripts for the fourth film in its entirety and record the vocal performances in case the unthinkable – but destined for all of us – happens,’ they said.
James Cameron is frantically trying to get the ageing cast of Avatar to record their script read throughs for the fourth film, according to insiders over fears the unthinkable could happen
An insider close to the franchise told DailyMail.com that James, 69, is trying to get ‘everything done as fast as possible’ to future proof the franchise (Pictured Sigourney Weaver)
With an ageing cast, which includes Sigourney, 74, and Stephen Lang, 71, (pictured) James is keen to ensure that they will all feature in the fourth and fifth installments
‘So much money is being spent on these films. To get all the performances physically completed but more importantly vocally is very important.
‘Nobody wants anyone to die, but James understands that Sigourney, Stephen and Michelle are getting older, just as much as he is getting older, and anything can happen.’
The insider stressed that these precautions are necessary, and that James is making sure to get ‘everything done as fast as possible.’
‘Everyone has stunt doubles, and everyone’s face is already in the computer,’ they continued.
‘If anything were to happen, it wouldn’t be a quick AI fix, but there is so much technology being used in these films that what they have would help if the unthinkable happens.
‘The third movie is basically done, there are just a handful of shots that they must take care of but everything that needs to be done for the film has been captured and it will be released on time.’
While James has already hinted that a sixth and seventh film could be in the works, it remains to be seen as to whether he will stay on as director.
He previously hinted that he could pass on the baton after the fifth instalment, but the insider claimed he could step down after work wraps on the fourth.
The insider claimed James (pictured at the Avatar: The Way Of The Water premiere in South Korea in 2022) is making sure to get ‘everything done as fast as possible’
The second Avatar film, starring Stephen (pictured) was released in 2022, 13 years after the original movie
‘James Cameron might stop at the fourth film and have someone else take over because he would like to do a couple of other things as he gets older,’ they said.
‘But he also has a tremendous ego, so he might stay put to finish the story.
‘The fourth film, for those that have read the script, have said that it will be the best of the bunch, which is saying something since the previous films have been lauded.’
The epic science fiction films have taken an extraordinary amount of time to make due to the technology James required to tell his stories.
The first film premiered in 2009, and saw Sam Worthington, 47, and Zoe Saldana, 45, as title characters Corporal Jake Sully and Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite.
Sigourney stars as Kiri, the daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Na’vi avatar who was adopted by Jake and Neytiri.
Stephen plays Miles Quaritch in the franchise, a human who led the forces of the RDA, the human organization colonizing Pandora
Michelle Yeoh is due to make her Avatar debut in the third film, which is slated for release in 2025
Stephen plays Colonel Miles Quaritch, who led the forces of the RDA, the human organization colonizing Pandora, and died in their conflict with the Na’vi in 2154.
Meanwhile Michelle is set to make her debut in Avatar 3 as Dr Karina Mogue.
The wait between Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water was a whopping 13 years, with the sequel released in 2022 after three years of filming.
Disney had previously announced a delay in the release dates for the next three Avatar movies.
Avatar 3 is now set for release on December 19, 2025, followed by Avatar 4 on December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5 on December 19, 2031.
The initial plan was to release the movies two years apart starting in 2024.
The original Avatar movie had an eye-watering budget of $237million and raked in a staggering $2.92billion at the box office.
The second film enjoyed similar success, also taking in $2.92 billion, but from an even bigger budget of $350–460 million.
In January, Sam gave a major update on the progress of Avatar 3, telling People: ‘We go back to work on it in a month and it’s big. It’s bigger than you can imagine.’
Last month, James revealed he has made plans for the sixth and seventh Avatar films as he discussed the future of the popular franchise.
‘We’re fully written through movie five, and I’ve got ideas for six and seven, although I’ll probably be handing the baton on at that point,’ he told People at the Saturn Awards.
